New Rules Following Torbay’s Cowboy Clampers

Following recent cases of rogue clamping firms A1 and CUFF in Torbay and other instances across the UK, the Government is now drawing up new regulations to clamp down on unfair practices.

The Government is currently consulting on what the regulations should say but Home Office Minister Alan Campbell has stated that they will address the following issues:

· Excessive penalties for releasing clamped cars

· Impounding cars unreasonably quickly after being clamped

· Inadequate signage warning drivers that clamping takes place

· Effective appeals processes for drivers

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders, who has been lobbying for new regulations, welcomed the consultation.

Adrian said: “So many people in Torbay were affected by these cowboy firms when they operated here in the past couple of years and it is heartening that the Government is now cracking down.  Some firms charged extortionate amounts to de-clamp cars or towed vehicles to Somerset.  These grossly unfair practices will hopefully be at an end soon.”

The consultation can be found here: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/cons-2009-vehicle-immobilisation/